'S  A 


need 


ffist'liandVieV0 


Urtana's 
Nei?  HoteL 


URBANA'S  NEW  HOTEL 


The  Facts 


Ask  the  first  ten  citizens  whom  you  meet,  "What  is  Urbana's  greatest  Need?"  and  you  will  re- 
ceive ten  answers,  all  identical — "A  new  and  modern  hotel."  This  fact  is  conceded  by  all  those 
whose  hands  are  on  the  pulse  of  local  community  and  business  affairs. 

This  need  has  existed  for  a  number  of  years  and  is  daily  becoming  more  pronounced.  Our  present 
accommodations  and  facilities  are  inadequate  to  care -for  the  demands  placed  upon  them  by  the 
traveling  public,  tourists,  etc.  It  is  a  well  known  fact  that  visitors  to  Urbana  and  the  University, 
commercial  men  and  tourists  are  obliged  to  go  to  Champaign,  or  even  further  to  secure  proper  ac- 
commodations, and  sometimes  are  even  obliged  to  secure  rooms  in  private  homes. 


We  Are  Losing  Money 


Let  those  who  doubt  this  statement  confer  with  University  officials  who  cannot  under  present  con- 
ditions refer  their  visitors  to  Urbana  for  hotel  accommodations  and  then  go  to  the  stations  and 
see  the  traveling  men  and  others  go  through  on  trains  to  cities  where  they  know  there  are  modern 
hotels.  We  dare  not  invite  district,  state  or  national  conventions  because  we  cannot  adequately  ac- 
commodate them,  and  conventions  alone  means  thousands  of  dollars  to  that  city,  which  with  proper 
hotel  facilities,  is  in  position  to  entertain  them. 


i  S3  35  go  ; , :,;  '-.'I 

<j  ',',  \(  •;  ;   II  ;'  OllS^^ 

fflj m  lul  nn  r ns  ir^Pf  ^  v^rw  ,  -if^Juwiiwun 

J 


TENTATIVE  SKETCH  OF  A  MODERN  HOTEL 
FOR  URBANA— 


(The  sketches  and  floor  plans  in  this  booklet  are 
only  suggested  and  are  subject  to  alterations  to  fit 
the  needs  of  this  particular  community.  Shown 
through  courtesy  of  Mr.  B.  K.  Gibson  of  Chicago.) 


URBANA'S  GREATEST  NEED— NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-ONE 


The 


That  these  conditions  might  be  altered  and  Urbana  take  her  place  not  only  as  one  of  the  leading 
cities  of  eastern  Illinois,  but  as  the  host  of  the  visitors  to  the  great  University,  a  committee  of 
prominent  citizens  was  appointed  by  the  local  Association  of  Commerce  to  investigate  the  pos- 
sibilities of  securing  a  new  and  modern  hotel  for  Urbana.  After  conferring  with  experienced 
hotel  men  and  hotel  architects,  the  conclusion  was  reached  that  a  hotel  building  of  approximately 
100  rooms  should  be  built.  To  that  end  a  campaign  organization  of  nearly  150  public-spirited  bus- 
iness and  professional  men  has  been  formed  for  the  purpose  of  selling  the  stock  necessary  to  cover 
the  costs  of  erection  of  such  a  hotel,  and  the  period  between  October  24th  and  31st  is  set  aside 
as  "Urbana's  New  Hotel  Week." 


Why  a  T^ew  Hotel 


Because  it  is  Urbana's  greatest  need. 

Because  hotel  accommodations  in  Urbana  should  be  a  credit  to  the  home  of  a  great  University. 

Because  a  good  hotel. is  the  best  advertisement  a  town  can  have  for  visitors. 

Had  Urbana  the  adequate  facilities  and  accommodations,  she  could  take  her  part  in  our  greater 

community  in  taking  care  of  the  very  large  number  of  visitors  that  come  to  the  Twin  Cities  and 

the  University.    As  it  is,  the  hotel  traffic  flows  naturally  to  Champaign,  Decatur  and  other  cities 

within  a  radius  of  50  miles.    Even  now,  Champaign  is  so  crowded  for  hotel  accommodations  that 

new  buildings  are  being  considered. 

These  neighboring  cities  realize  this  great  need  and  in  providing  for  it,  profit  by  the  short  sight- 

edness  of  their  sister  cities  who  fail  to  provide  for  their  own  guests. 

The  Twin  Cities  can  be  known  far  and  wide  as  a  splendid  hotel  center  if  Urbana  will  do  her  part. 


INMAN  HOTEL 

Champaign,  Illinois 
"A  Real  Asset  to 
Champaign" 


FOWLER  HOTEL 

LaFayette,  Indiana 
"The  Home  of  Purdue 
University." 


•«"* 


URBANA'S  GREATEST  NEED— NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-ONE 


What  the  T^ew  Hotel  Will  3\4ean  to  the  City 


A  new  hotel  will  change  Urbana  from  a  progressive  town  to  a  more  progressive  city,  and  will 
draw  increased  business  from  the  large  trade  territory  surrounding  it. 

It  will  be  a  great  civic  improvement  which  will  greatly  enhance  real  estate  values  and  encourage 
other  building  projects.  It  will  be  the  common  meeting  ground,  the  only  place  in  Urbana  where  all 
groups  may  freely  meet  together  in  business,  social,  fraternal  and  political  enterprises.  Its  social 
rooms  will  accommodate  many  University  functions.  (Available  rooms  in  both  cities  are  even  now 
engaged  for  as  long  as  two  years  in  advance  for  special  events  given  by  University  bodies.)  It 
will  be  the  recognized  host  of  the  city's  visitors.  The  town  without  modern  hotel  facilities  is  like 
the  private  home  without  a  spare  room  for  the  unexpected  guest. 

It  will  mean  that  the  traveling  public  can  and  will  make  this  community  its  headquarters  for  east- 
ern Illinois  instead  of  passing  through  to  other  cities,  and  Urbana  will  be  advertised  throughout 
the  entire  state.  No  other  civic  enterprise  could  accomplish  this  so  effectually. 

Progressive  cities  are. anxious  to  secure  business  enterprises  and  make  every  endeavor  to  do  so. 
This  new  hotel  will  mean  a  business  enterprise  employing  approximately  65  persons. 


LOBBY 


HOTEL  ROBERTS 
Muncie,  Indiana 
Interior  views  typical  of  a  Modern  Hotel 


BED  ROOM 


.  URBANA'S  GREATEST  NEED— NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-ONE 


Urbana  as  a  Hotel  Center 


Urbana  is  the  home  of  the  University  of  Illinois  which  spends  $3,000,000  yearly.  Literally  thousands  of  people  are 
attracted  here  by  auto  and  train  to  visit  this  great  institution.  Many  conventions,  that  wish  to  take  advantage  of 
the  University  grounds,  could  be  obtained  if  we  had  proper  hotel  accommodations. 

We  have  several  industrial  plants  that  are  in  a  state  of  vigorous  growth ;  we  have  four  banks  with  $2,500,000  com- 
bined resources.  (These  resources  would  be  larger  if  strangers  coming  to  Urbana  could  find  good  hotel  accommo- 
dations as  it  would  be  natural  for  them  to  establish  their  banking  connections  here.)  We  have  16  church  organ- 
izations, 2  railroads,  2  electric  lines,  with  a  large  number  of  passenger  trains  daily.  We  have  more  and  finer  parks 
than  almost  any  city  of  our  size  in  the  middle  west.  Our  street  lighting  system  cannot  be  surpassed  even  in  cities 
several  times  our  size. 

Urbana  is  the  home  of  the  Wesley  Foundation,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  enterprises  of  its  kind  in  the  world. 

We  are  located  on  the  Egyptian  trail,  one  of  the  main  north  and  south  highways ;  we  are  on  a  splendid  east  and  west 
road  which  will  soon  be  hard  surfaced  to  Danville  to  connect  with  the  Dixie  Highway. 

All  of  these  assets  bring  a  great  number  of  visitors  to  our  door. 

A  new  and  thoroughly'modern  hotel  would  not  only  accommodate  these,  but  would  increase  the  number  of  the 
city's  guests. 


Some  Features  of  Urbana's  Proposed  New  Hotel 


The  new  hotel  will  be  a  handsome  structure  approximately  five  stories  in  height  with  about  100  rooms.  It  will 
be  designed  to  take  care  of  our  special  hotel  needs  here  in  Urbana.  There  will  be  social  and  convention  rooms, 
dining  room  facilities,  etc. 

Special  features  to  insure  permanent  revenue  will  be  determined  as  the  plans  for  the  building  mature  and  after 
the  site  is  chosen.  Space  for  stores,  coffee  room,  apartments,  etc.,  are  some  suggested  features. 


ill 


a  L 


» 


i  r 


in 


TTTJ 


s-  a 


c      o     e     c     i     D    o     B 


TJVs.-ftH  1 1 ' 


URBANA'S  GREATEST  NEED— NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-ONE 


A  Safe  Investment 


An  executive  committee  of  prominent  Urbana  citizens  was  organized  from  the  Association  of  Commerce  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  funds  through  the  sale  of  stock  with  which  to  erect  in  Urbana  a  new  and  modern  hotel  suf- 
ficient to  meet  the  needs  of  our  growing  community. 

The  par  value  of  the  stock  is  $100  per  share  and  payments  will  cover  a  period  of  nearly  2  years,  as  follows:  10% 
of  the  total  due  November  15,  1921,  and  10%  on  the  15th  of  every  second  month  until  the  final  payment,  falling 
due  May  15,  1923.  However,  the  notes  will  be  so  worded  that  in  case  a  buyer  desires  to  pay  for  his  stock  sooner 
than  the  date  of  maturity,  he  may  do  so.  This  stock  will  be  sold  on  the  principle  that  it  will  be  a  safe  and  prac- 
tical community  investment  and  in  no  sense  a  civic  donation. 


The  Site 


The  question  of  a  site  for  the  new  hotel  is  being  carefully  considered.  Some  months  ago,  a  committee  of  local  bus- 
iness men  was  appointed  by  the  Urbana  Association  of  Commerce  to  study  the  hotel  site  situation,  and  have  been 
conferring  with  experts.  Although  several  sites  are  available  to  this  committee,  any  one  of  which  would  prove  very 
satisfactory,  it  was  thought  best  to  let  the  stock  holders  themselves  determine  the  proper  location,  after  the  stock 
sales  campaign.  This  also  gives  opportunity  for  the  prospective  operator  or  lessee,  and  the  hotel  architect  to 
assist  the  stockholders  in  planning  for  a  hotel  that  will  bring  the  most  returns  on  the  investment. 


Will  It  Pay  a  Dividend? 


The  executive  committee,  entrusted  with  the  sale  of  the  stock,  after  careful  analysis  of  similar  projects  in  other 
communities  and  in  conference  with  hotel  men  who  understand  the  possibilities,  and  considering  the  needs  of  our 
own  city,  is  of  the  firm  belief  that  a  fair  yearly  dividend  of  not  less  than  6%  is  reasonably  assured  after  operation 
begins.    This  dividend  would  probably  be  more  if  locally  managed. 
So  great  is  the  confidence  of  certain  hotel  men  and  architects  in  the  possibilities  of  these  community  hotels  that  a 
company  is  being  organized  in  Chicago  for  the  purpose  of  leasing  and  operating  such  enterprises  after  they  are 
financed  locally.    To  those  in  close  touch  with  hotel  organization,  this  is  most  significant. 
I 


URBANA'S  GREATEST  NEED— NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-ONE 

Who  Should  Purchase  Stock 

Property  Owners:  Every  new  and  modern  building  erected  in  Urbana  has  a  direct  bearing  upon 
property  values.  A  modern  hotel  perhaps  more  than  any  other  local  enterprise  favorably  affects 
our  city. 

Business  and  Professional  Men:     Every  man  and  woman  in  active  business  in  Urbana  and  vicin- 
ity today  will  be  a  direct  beneficiary  as  a  result  of  the  building  of  this  new  hotel. 
Farmers :    A  new  hotel  will  mean  a  greater  city ;  that  means  a  greater  and  better  market  for  the 
farmers.    A  new  hotel  will  promote  better  roads  and  thus  make  these  markets  more  accessible. 
The  farmer  is  necessarily  a  part  of  the  community  and  shares  with  it,  its  progress. 
Men  and  Women:     Those  whose  public  spirit  leads  them  to  respond  to  the  city's  need;  to  those 
people,  this  represents  a  very  practical,  safe  community  investment,  and  at  the  same  time  sup- 
plying a  very  definite  community  need. 

Everyone:  Everyone  who  wants  to  see  Urbana  prosper  and  take  her  place  among  the  progres- 
sive cities  of  the  state;  this  is  a  practical  business  investment  and  the  surest  known  way  to  "make 
Urbana  grow."  Urbana  has  a  habit  of  meeting  emergencies.  Let  us  meet  this  new  one  now. 
Bear  in  Mind  Please:  That  this  project  is  in  no  sense  a  donation  but  an  investment  in  Urbana's 
present  and  in  her  future.  It  is  an  enterprise  to  be  managed  by  those  who  invest  their  own 
money,  local  men,  everyone  of  them. 


^Building  Costs 


The  hotel  company,  when  incorporated,  will  appoint  local  committees  to  settle  on  all  questions  of 
building  operations  and  the  community  may  subscribe  for  stock  with  full  confidence  that  all  of  ' 
these  details  will  have  the  proper  attention  by  those  whom  they  themselves  have  selected. 


URBANA'S  GREATEST  NEED— NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-ONE 


URBANA  HOTEL  COMPANY 


This  company  will  be  formed  and  incorporated  immediately  after  November  1st. 


OFFICERS  AND  DIRECTORS 
To  be  elected  by  the  Stockholders  upon  completion  of  Incorporation 

CAMPAIGN  ORGANIZATION 

S.  E.  Huff,  General  Chairman  J.  H.  Thornburn,  Vice-Chairman 

L.  G.  Mclntire,  Secretary 

EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 

H.  A.  AMERMAN  MORGAN  BROOKS  H.  E.  HIERONYMOUS  DR.  L.  A.  MCMASTERS 

F.  C.  AMSBARY  A.  T.  BURROWS  L.  V.  JURGENSMEYER  H.  D.  OLDHAM 

G.  H.  BAKER  G.  W.  BUSEY  F.  M.  LESLIE  W.  I.  SAFFELL 
G.  M.  BENNETT  C.  N.  CLARK  CHARLES  LOEB  J.  E.  SMITH 

F.   L.   BILLS  F.  E.  GIBSON  M.  LOWENSTERN  B.  F.  STEVENSON 

STANLEY  BOGGS  H.  I.  GREEN  DR.  J.  S.  MASON  G.  M.  WOOD 


URBANA'S  GREATEST  NEED— NINETEEN  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY-ONE 


CAMPAIGN  ORGANIZATION 
(Continued) 

CITIZENS'  COMMITTEE 


DIVISION  "A"- 


D.  L.  CHRISTOPHER,  Chairman 

1.  H.  A.  AMERMAN 

2.  E.  H.  RENNER 

3.  T.  B.  WEBBER 

DIVISION  "B"— 

PROF.  H.  S.  GRINDLEY , Chairman 

4.  JOHN  GRAY 

5.  G.  H.  RADEBAUGH 

6.  0.  E.  SHOBE 


DIVISION  "C"— 

LON  V.  PALMER,  Chairman 

I.  C.  A.  BONGART 

8.  TOM  COLVIN 

9.  THOS.    GlLLILAND 

DIVISION  "D"— 

G.  M.  WOOD,  Chairman 

10.  H.  A.  LITTLE 

II.  DR.  L.  A.  McMASTERS 
12.  CHAS.  H.  WATTS 


